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American HealthChoice, Inc., (AMHI) announced that it has launched a telemedicine program that involves providing healthcare to patients utilizing video-conferencing telecommunications and digital technology, including electronic stethoscopes, ophthalmoscopes and otoscopes, to virtually connect patients to healthcare professionals.

The initial roll out using this emerging technology will be among company- owned clinics and some of the clinics participating in AMHI'S Affiliated Revenue program. The company also plans to offer the technology to independent medical clinics in and around Texas within 12 months time.

"To date Telemedicine has mostly been used by radiologists and cardiologists," stated Michael Smith MD, medical director for AMHI's Texas physician subsidiary. "This technology marks a new day for primary care physicians and I am very excited to play a role in this transformation."

"Telemedicine is further proof of the role that technology is now playing in the delivery of quality healthcare, especially over vast distances," stated J.W. Stucki, CEO of American HealthChoice.

"This technology will enable patients in small or remote communities to receive the kind of quality medical care normally reserved for those in big cities or more developed urban areas. Those seeking necessary and valuable second opinions, or consultations with a specialist, will no longer have to travel long distances, or wait days or even weeks to be seen," Stucki said.

"We expect the revenues from our Telemedicine Program to have a positive impact on our financial results beginning in the first half of 2005 and also bring efficiency to our clinic operations," explained Stucki.

"We are pleased to be on the front-end of this exciting transformation in healthcare, as we feel that Telemedicine will ultimately revolutionize and significantly improve patient care in the U.S. and throughout the world," said Stucki. This article was prepared by Biotech Law Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2004, Biotech Law Weekly via LawRx.com.

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